Want to check eSIM compatibility in a few seconds? Dial *#06# on your phone. If you see an EID number, your phone supports eSIM. This eSIM check code works on iPhone and on most Android phones. Then make one more check: your phone must also be unlocked if your eSIM comes from a different carrier. This guide shows you how to check eSIM compatibility on iPhone and Android, how to check your carrier lock, and what to do if your phone isn't compatible.
The eSIM check code: dial *#06#
The fastest eSIM compatibility check is a code you type on your phone's keypad:
- Open the Phone app and go to the keypad.
- Dial *#06#. On most phones the numbers appear right away. If not, press call.
- Look at the numbers that appear. If one of them is labelled EID, your phone supports eSIM.
The EID (Embedded Identity Document) is the number of the eSIM chip inside your phone. If there's no eSIM chip, there's no EID. Carriers use this same check: T-Mobile tells you to dial *#06# to get your EID (T-Mobile: Bring your own phone), and so does Singtel (Singtel: Check if your device is eSIM-compatible). The code also shows your IMEI. Learn more about what an EID number is.
No EID on the screen? Check your settings as shown below before you give up. And remember: an EID tells you the phone can hold an eSIM. It doesn't tell you if the phone is locked to a carrier.
How to check eSIM compatibility on iPhone
Every iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later supports eSIM. The exception is mainland China, where only a few recent models do (Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone). Depending on your region, the menu is called Cellular or Mobile Data.
1. Look for the Add eSIM option
Go to Settings > Cellular. If you see Add eSIM or Set Up Cellular, your iPhone supports eSIM.
2. Find your EID in Settings
Go to Settings > General > About and scroll down. If you see an EID, your iPhone supports eSIM. You'll find your IMEI and ICCID on the same screen (Apple: Find the serial number or IMEI).
3. Check the Carrier Lock
Stay in Settings > General > About and look at Carrier Lock. If it says No SIM restrictions, your iPhone is unlocked and works with an eSIM from any carrier (Apple: Unlock your iPhone).
How to check eSIM compatibility on Android
Menu names change a little between brands and Android versions. Dialing *#06# is the quickest check. These are the settings to look at on the most common phones.
Samsung Galaxy
- Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager. If you see Add eSIM, your Galaxy supports eSIM (Samsung: SIM cards for your Galaxy).
- To find your EID, go to Settings > About phone > Status information. Samsung says the EID is also on your phone's box (Samsung: Galaxy eSIM).
Samsung also warns that, depending on the country your phone comes from, eSIM may not be supported, even on a model that supports it elsewhere.
Google Pixel
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs. If you can tap Add SIM and then Set up an eSIM, your Pixel supports eSIM (Pixel Phone Help: eSIM).
- To find your EID, go to Settings > About phone > SIM status (Pixel Phone Help: find your phone's ID numbers).
Google says a Pixel 3a or later can use a physical SIM and an eSIM together. In the US, the Pixel 10 and later (except the Pixel 10 Pro Fold) only use eSIM.
Other Android phones
Search your settings for eSIM or EID, or look in Settings > About phone. If you find neither, check your exact model in our list of eSIM supported phones.
Is your phone unlocked? Check the carrier lock
A phone can support eSIM and still be locked to the carrier that sold it. A locked phone only works with that carrier's SIMs and eSIMs. So if you want an eSIM from another carrier or a travel eSIM, check this too.
- iPhone: Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock. You want to see No SIM restrictions.
- Android: there's no standard lock screen in the settings. Ask the carrier that sold you the phone. If your phone asks for an unlock code when you add a SIM or eSIM from another carrier, it's locked. Samsung says to contact the phone's original carrier in that case.
Only your carrier can unlock your phone. Read what a carrier-locked phone means and how to unlock your phone.
eSIM compatibility check with your IMEI or your carrier
Many people search for an "eSIM IMEI check". Your IMEI identifies your phone, not its eSIM, so it can't tell you on its own if your phone supports eSIM. But carriers use it in their compatibility checkers:
- USA: T-Mobile's checker asks for your IMEI, then for your EID to confirm eSIM support. Dial *#06# to get both (T-Mobile). Other carriers have their own checks, so ask yours.
- Nigeria and Ghana: Apple lists 9mobile, Airtel, Glo and MTN in Nigeria, and MTN in Ghana, as carriers that support eSIM on iPhone (Apple: carriers that offer eSIM). MTN Ghana gives the same check: dial *#06# and look for an EID.
- Other countries: Apple's list shows the carriers that support eSIM in each country. Your carrier can also confirm if your phone works with its eSIM.
Need your IMEI for a checker? Here's how to check your phone's IMEI number.
Why your phone may not be eSIM compatible
If none of the checks above shows an EID or an eSIM option, the reason is usually one of these:
- Your phone is too old, or your model has no eSIM chip and only takes a physical SIM.
- Your phone was made for a market without eSIM. iPhones sold in mainland China only support eSIM on a few recent models, and some Samsung phones don't support eSIM depending on their country of origin.
- Your carrier doesn't offer eSIM for your plan or for your phone model. Ask them.
- Your phone is carrier-locked. The phone supports eSIM, but only from the carrier it's locked to.
- Your software is out of date. Install the latest iOS or Android update and check again.
Hardware can't be changed with an update, but you still have options. See can I make my phone eSIM compatible?
Checked your phone? Get a travel eSIM
If your phone shows an EID and it's unlocked, it's ready for a travel eSIM. A few tips before you buy:
- Check both things: the EID (eSIM support) and the carrier lock (unlocked).
- Install the eSIM on Wi-Fi shortly before you leave. You download it by scanning the QR code from your email. Here's how to activate an eSIM.
- Keep your home SIM. iPhones with eSIM, a Pixel 3a or later and many other phones let you use your physical SIM and an eSIM at the same time, so you can keep your number for calls and texts.
Flying to Europe? This data-only eSIM covers 34 countries for 15 days and installs from a QR code, so you can set it up at home before your trip.
Going somewhere else? Africa, the USA and Mexico have their own data-only plans. The Africa plan works in 30 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.
Africa, USA and Mexico plans shown · data-only eSIMs, no phone number · Africa eSIM · Find the eSIM for your destination
FAQs
What is the eSIM check code?
Dial *#06# on your phone's keypad. If an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. The code works on iPhone and on most Android phones.
How do I check eSIM compatibility on my iPhone?
Go to Settings > General > About. If you see an EID, your iPhone supports eSIM. Then check that Carrier Lock says No SIM restrictions. Every iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or later supports eSIM, except most models sold in mainland China.
How do I check eSIM support on Android?
Dial *#06# and look for an EID. On Samsung, look for Add eSIM in Settings > Connections > SIM manager. On Pixel, look for Set up an eSIM in Settings > Network & internet > SIMs.
Can I check eSIM compatibility with my IMEI?
Not on its own. The IMEI identifies your phone, while the EID shows it has an eSIM. Some carriers, like T-Mobile, check your IMEI and EID together in their online checker.
What is my eSIM number?
If you mean the number of your eSIM chip, that's the EID. Dial *#06# or look in your phone's About settings. Your phone number is different: you'll find it in your cellular or SIM settings. Many travel eSIMs, including SimOptions data-only plans, don't come with a phone number.
How do I know which eSIM is which?
On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular, tap a line, then tap Cellular Plan Label to give it a clear name, like Personal or Travel (Apple: Using Dual SIM with an eSIM). On Android, open your SIM settings (SIM manager on Samsung, SIMs on Pixel) to see and rename each line.
Can I use a physical SIM and an eSIM at the same time?
Often, yes. Every iPhone that supports eSIM can use Dual SIM, and so can a Pixel 3a or later. On other Android phones, check your model. That's how you keep your home number while you use a travel eSIM for data. Learn how to set up and manage a dual eSIM.
My phone isn't eSIM compatible. What can I do?
You can't add an eSIM chip to a phone that doesn't have one. You can use a physical SIM instead, or switch to a newer phone. Check our list of eSIM supported phones before you buy.